Who owns a Zodiac Futura?

ZodiacFuturaMk2 · 20 August 2007, 15:26

Hiya,

Just trying to get in contact with some other Zodiac Futura owners.

If you own one - what sort and setup due you run?

I am now onto my 4th Futura and have just bought:

2007 Zodiac Futura MK 2 (4.1m)
HD (Aluminium Floor) with Console
Yamaha 50H (1999) 2 Stroke, Long Shaft
Custom Stainless Steel Trailer

I know its not strictly a RIB but its near enough ;o)

Cheers

Gareth

Jon Brooks · 20 August 2007, 15:46

Gareth,

Nice looking boat.

Launching in a not so Herne Bay I see.

donutsina911 · 20 August 2007, 15:48

nice porker..

ZodiacFuturaMk2 · 20 August 2007, 16:08

Jon - Thanks, Herne Bay - well spotted! Dump but easier to launch than at Whitstable! If its calm we launch with transom mounted wheels across the shingle beach in Tankerton - no slip required with this one!!

donutsina911 - Cheers - Its a wideboy thats for sure!

Cheers

G

genoa · 20 August 2007, 16:49

We have a futura FR (with the high pressure inflatable floor) as our #2 boat it is incredibly light and with a 15hp Tohatsu it does about 25knts 1 up, and initial acceleration leaves EVERY rib standing (for about 10 seconds). Great boat!!

MarkM · 20 August 2007, 19:01

My first rubber boat was a Futura 4,20 with alu floor. For many years took her out to France, Italy, Croatia.
For the holidays I mounted a smaller stearing bar. At home I used the console.

Davidgriffiths · 20 August 2007, 22:12

Gareth

Currently have a 1999 Zodiac Futura MKIIc with 25HP Yamaha. Great boat which we use mainly for wake skating.

Previously had a Zodiac Futura Sport 4.2 (White tubes / Yellow Jockey console) with a 50HP Yamaha went like hell, if you could hold on.

David

BBirnie · 21 August 2007, 02:09

Hey Gareth, my brother and I own a Zodiac Futura with a 40 nissan / tohatsu on it. Love the boat and am having a hard time persuading myself to sell it since I also have a Zodiac Hurricane. The futura is a great boat. We found that you need to mount the engine low in order to compensate for the speed tubes. Took our Futura on a 1300 mile trip down the Mississippi in 2005. I have lots of fond memories related to the Futura.

zodiacman · 21 August 2007, 09:51

Hi zodiac nice boat, so versatile, I have an older futura mk 2 with mariner 25 hp 2stroke ally floor I use it mainly for touring long weekends and weeks away from it all camping so its usually well loaded up You can land on most beaches unload whip the engine off and carry the boat to high water line Ive had 25 mph on a flat sea but mainly cruise around 14-18 mph and get on average 40 mile to 20ltr. Great to here from a fellow small boater

Lewy · 22 August 2007, 11:31

Gareth i do like the look of those Futura's, but what are they like in a short chop, in other words typical Solent conditions? Also i imagine with the transom wheels and soft bottom there magic for exploring and beaching where ever you like.
couple of other questions did you get your boat from Chas Newens, are they a good dealer? and you must fly with a 50hp, what sort of speed you getting?
cheers Lewy

ZodiacFuturaMk2 · 22 August 2007, 12:18

Lewy,

Futura is a very good boat - but not that great in chop to be honest, probably the best you will get in terms of SIB though! MK3 is prob best of the bunch at handling chop...

I bought mine mail order from Pennine Marine. John at Pennine is a top chap and I highly recommend them!

The 50hp shoves it along ok - easily hits 30 -35mph but Im going from a 13 to a 15 pitch prop to try and get more! May go even higher than that maybe try a 17.

Here are some pics from zodiac

Cheers

G

BumbleAbout · 28 August 2007, 14:14

We have one too (4.2m HD with steering pack) - great fun

AndrewUkR6 · 31 August 2007, 22:08

i just picked up the 3.7m futura with a 40 OB, first trip out is tommorrow so will let you know what i think!

ZodiacFuturaMk2 · 08 September 2007, 23:02

Andrew,

Just read your other post and saw your pics - very similar setup! Futuras can be very bumpy in chop but when its calm they go like the clappers!

Be good to get a Futura club going and have a meet up :o)

Cheers

Gareth

AndrewUkR6 · 09 September 2007, 10:13

unfortunately havnt had calm waters yet when ive been out, was intending to go out today but a JetSkier told me it was pretty choppy out.

However when i got behind the shelter of the marina, it was a different boat and flew along. Im sure it will come into itself in the right conditions!

ZodiacFuturaMk2 · 09 September 2007, 10:39

Nice one - well Im just off out on mine - looks ok at Whitstable:

http://www.wyc.org.uk/flattened/home_webcam.php

Is that a 2 stroke 40hp you are running?

What height are you running your outboard? Is the Cav plate level or below the keel line?

Cheers

G

AndrewUkR6 · 10 September 2007, 16:29

yep a 2 stroke yamaha 40hp, its about level i havnt tinkered about with it yet. I must say im rather jealous looking at those mirror flat condiiotns you had on sunday, i cant wait to try my lil futura out when its liek that (apparently it was pretty choppy in brighton on sunday).

BumbleAbout · 11 September 2007, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodiacFuturaMk2

What height are you running your outboard? Is the Cav plate level or below the keel line?
G

The previous owner changed the standard setup (Futura 4.2 HD with 50hp Yam) for waterskiing - engine mounted higher/ stainless steel prop etc. The cavitation plate is 1" below the bottom of the transom and I rarely get any ventilation/ cavitation.

ian parkes · 24 September 2007, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by BumbleAbout

The previous owner changed the standard setup (Futura 4.2 HD with 50hp Yam) for waterskiing - engine mounted higher/ stainless steel prop etc. The cavitation plate is 1" below the bottom of the transom and I rarely get any ventilation/ cavitation.

Hi bumble is that 50 on a consul or tiller steer .
I have just got myself a Futura MK3 air floor with a yam 25 ,but wondering how it would handle a Tohatsu 50 . I have to decide quick as the tohasu isn't going to be available much longer.

howe · 24 September 2007, 23:07

I have a 3.7m Futura which is my second. I use it as a tender to our sailing cruiser. I really like the large diameter tubes and the tubes underneath which give you more freeboard when carrying a heavy load. I have the inflatable floor.
Mine has three problems:
the fibreglass nose piece can bang into my boat and cause scratches
the bag at the front has degraded a lot in the sunlight and had to be replaced after 3 years
water sprays up between the engine and the transom at speed. I have tried raising the engine (a 18hp Tohatsu) but its still not good. This also happended on my previous Futura - I am amazed that Zodiac haven't fixed it yet.

Gavin